AU2020100544A4

AU2020100544A4 - Liquid dispensing station

Info

Publication number: AU2020100544A4
Application number: AU2020100544A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Andrew Douglas Pridham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-04-09
Filing date: 2020-04-09
Publication date: 2020-05-21
Anticipated expiration: 2028-04-09

Abstract

LIQUID DISPENSING STATION A portable liquid dispensing station 1 including a housing 3 having a hollow interior 4. The interior 4 having a chamber 12 to receive a container 13 of liquid to be dispensed. A door 15 provides access to the chamber 12. A spout 10 dispenses liquid to a user. A foot pedal 25 is connectable to the container 13 and spout 10 by one or more tubes for the user to drive liquid from the container 13 through the spout 10 into a user's hands. Figure 1

Description

FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a liquid dispensing station and in particular to a portable station to dispense an antibacterial type sanitizer into the hands of a user without the hands touching the station.

BACKGROUND [0002] Dispensers and dispensing stations are known to dispense products in all areas of the community both residential and industrial. For example, vending machines are a very popular form of portable dispensing station. However, such vending machines must be located with access to electrical power otherwise they will not operate. Accordingly, there is a need for dispensing stations that utilise mechanical power. Typically, such stations utilise air pressure operated by a user to create the mechanical power and dispense product.

[0003] In the hygiene space, it is common within hospitals, schools, offices and the like to use bottles of liquid soap or sanitizer. These bottles include a reservoir, a feed tube and a pump leading to a spout. The problem with such widely used bottles are that they are touched by the user as they push down the spout to pump the liquid from the reservoir. Accordingly, bacteria is left on the spout for the next user.

[0004] Further, these types of bottle dispensers often include very cheap mechanical mechanisms which break and/or work intermittently. They often include only a single valve creating an inconsistent flow of liquid from the spout requiring the user to pump the dispenser numerous times per usage. Yet further, they often leak/drip after use and do not provide any recess or method of recovering excess liquid that may continue to flow from the spout.

[0005] Such bottle style dispensers are also small in nature (mostly limited to 500ml containers) and often stolen. Often existing stations lack stability, are not fully enclosed and are not robust. It would be advantageous for users to have a sanitizer dispensing station just like they have a water cooler. It would also be advantageous to utilise a foot pedal so that bacteria is not passed to the surfaces of the station and the next user of the station.

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SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0006] A portable liquid dispensing station including:

a housing having a hollow interior;

said interior having a chamber to receive a container of liquid to be dispensed;

a door to access said chamber;

a spout to dispense said liquid to a user; and a foot pedal connectable to said container and said spout by one or more tubes for the user to drive liquid from said container through said spout.

[0007] Preferably, said foot pedal includes a foot pump and two valves working in unison upon application of the foot pedal by a user to deliver liquid to said spout in a continuous flow manner.

[0008] Preferably, including a shelf extending from one side of said housing and positioned below said spout to receive liquid from said spout.

[0009] Preferably, the housing includes a cut-out from which the foot pedal protrudes.

[0010] Preferably, the door includes a lock to inhibit access to said container.

[0011] Preferably, said shelf includes a removable drip tray.

[0012] Preferably, said container is at least 5 litres in size.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0013] Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example, wherein:

[0014] Figure 1 shows an isometric external view of an embodiment of a dispensing station of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 2 shows an internal view of Figure 1;

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2020100544 09 Apr 2020 [0016] Figure 3 shows a side cross-sectional view of Figures 1 and 2;

[0017] Figures 4a and b show the front panels of the top and bottom sections of Figures 1 and 2;

[0018] Figure 5 shows the drip tray of Figure 1; and [0019] Figure 6 shows the weight plate of Figure 1.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0020] In the accompanying drawings there is disclosed a portable liquid dispensing station 1 for the dispensing of antibacterial sanitizer material or the like. It should however be understood that the station 1 could dispense any type of liquid. The station 1 includes a housing 3 having a hollow interior 4 and supporting struts 16. As best seen in Figure 1, the housing 3 in the preferred form has a first elongate rectangular section 5 and a second elongate rectangular section 6. The first section 5 extends higher from a ground or resting surface (not shown) than the second section 6 to provide a flat face panel 7 to which information such as advertising, signage, use instructions 8, health warnings or the like can be applied. There could be included guides (not shown) into which removable and/or replaceable information can be inserted. The face panel 7 also locates a spout 10 to dispense the liquid into a user’s hands. Though Figure 1 shows one spout 10, multiple spouts 10 could be utilised. Further, the second section 6 could also include a face panel 6 for information if required.

[0021] As best seen in Figure 2, the part of the hollow interior 4 located within the second section 6 provides a chamber 12 to receive a container 13 of liquid to be dispensed. In the preferred form the container 13 would be a drum of sanitizer and would be at least 5 litres or more in size. The second section 6 includes a door (not shown) to provide access to the chamber 12 so that the container 13 can be replaced. The door includes hinges (not shown) so that the door can pivot about an axis (not shown) and a lock (not shown) to prevent the container 13 from being stolen from the chamber 12. A stabilizing weight or plate 18 (see Figure 6) of around 20kg or the like would be provided at a lower end base 11 of the second section 6 to provide stability to the station 1 in use. The plate 18 could be fixed in place or removable to assist in transport and set up of the station 1.

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2020100544 09 Apr 2020 [0022] As best seen in Figures 2 and 3 a foot pedal 25 is provided at the lower base end 11 of the station 1 and would be located in use adjacent the ground or resting surface. The pedal 25 includes a lever rotatable about an axis 40 and having a first end 41 to be pressed by a user’s foot and a second end 42 to engage pump 17. The pump 17 having a bladder 45 or the like that can be compressed by lever end 42 to urge the liquid from the container 13 to the spout 10 . The pump having a one way valve (not shown) and connectable to the container 13 and spout 10 by one or more tubes 21 for the user to drive liquid from said container 13 through said spout 10 into a user’s hands.

[0023] In a preferred form the foot pedal 25 includes two valves (not shown) working in unison upon application of the foot pedal 25 by a user to deliver liquid to the spout 10 in a continuous flow manner. The foot pedal 25 in a preferred form would protrude from the second section 6 through a cut out 35. It should be appreciated that more than one foot pedal 25 could be utilised.

[0024] In a further preferred embodiment and as best seen in Figures 1 and 2, the second section 6 includes a shelf 30 extending from one side of face panel 7 and positioned below said spout 10 to receive liquid from said spout 10 if not caught by a user’s hands. The shelf 30 can also include a removable drip tray 31 (see Figure 5) located within a support frame 37.

[0025] Advantageously, the present invention in a preferred form provides a self-contained foot operated liquid dispensing station 1 with enough contingency for large 20 litre containers 13. All foot operated systems available in the market to date have a limited capacity of only 500ml to 1 litre capacity. The dispensing station 1 uses a unique foot pump dispenser that is robust and incorporates two valves that work in unison that pushes the liquid from the liquid container 13 to the dispensing spout 10. The dispensing station foot operated pump, is controlled by a foot pedal 25 that when depressed provides a consistent flow (regulated by the size of the tube used) to the spout 10 which is incorporated within the dispensing station 1. The foot pump is located in the front of the dispensing station 1 and is highlighted for ease of use. The dispensing station 1 is made from lightweight aluminium allowing for easy handling incorporating a steel plate weight 18 that can be removed for transporting the unit. The steel weight 18 is to provide stability preventing the station 1 from being knocked over. It should however be appreciated that the station 1 and weight 18 could be made of any material. The station 1 can be also fixed down to the ground surface or the like to which it is placed if required by typical fasteners (not shown).

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2020100544 09 Apr 2020 [0026] Advantageously, the station can be fixed to the floor to prevent removal of the complete station. The liquid volume can be adjusted by replaceable foot pedal sizes, with rubber separators between the base of the foot and floor. There could also be a rechargeable/electric electronic screen to give warning details or anything of the like. There could also be a cup dispenser added when used for water. There could be a connection through a hose from a water cooler. There could be a rechargeable battery/electric vending option for sunscreen. There could be a hand towel dispenser included when used as a soap or hand cleaner dispenser. As mentioned there could also be a double spout /double foot pedal for soap/hand cleaner dispenser and water feed from a constant supply with a float.

[0027] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A portable liquid dispensing station including:

a housing having a hollow interior, said interior having a chamber to receive a container of liquid to be dispensed;

a door to access said chamber;

a spout to dispense said liquid to a user; and a foot pedal connectable to said container and said spout by one or more tubes for the user to drive liquid from said container through said spout.
2. The station of claim 1, wherein said foot pedal includes a foot pump and two valves working in unison upon application of the foot pedal by a user to deliver liquid to said spout in a continuous flow manner
3. The station of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the station includes a shelf extending from one side of said housing and positioned below said spout to receive liquid from said spout.
4. The station of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the housing includes a cut-out from which the foot pedal protrudes.
5. The station of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the door includes a lock to inhibit access to said container.